Wilfred Harry Syer sold stoves, gasoline engines, and lighting systems. He lived at 1831 Pendrell Street in 1915 and 1916. In later years he was the editor of a weekly Vancouver paper called the West End Gazette.
Wilfred Harry Syer was born on January 12, 1876, in Clapham, London, England. His father was Isaac John Syer (1840-1898). Wilfred’s mother was Charlotte Harriett Crawley (about 1841-1907).
In 1904, in the Lambeth district of London, Wilfred married Mabel Florence Dickins. She was born on February 22, 1877 in England. Her father was John Martin Dickins. Her mother was Florence Catherine Lemon.
Wilfred came to Canada about 1905. Mabel arrived in Canada about 1906, along with Wilfred and Mabel’s daughter, Marjory.
By the time of the 1906 Prairie census, Wilfred and Mabel were living in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
In 1911, they were at 1027 Harwood Street in Vancouver. Wilfred was working for Robert M. Moore and Company, who made gasoline stoves, engines and lighting systems.
This is a selected list of Wilfred’s addresses in Vancouver
| 1911 to 1912 | 1027 Harwood Street |
| 1913 | 1390 Thurlow Street |
| 1914 | 1091 Broughton Street |
| 1915 and 1916 | 1831 Pendrell Street |
| 1917 and 1918 | 1153 Bidwell Street |
| 1921 | 1020 Melville Street |
| 1945 to 1949 | 1016 Alberni Street |
Wilfred continued to work for Robert M. Moore until the early 1920s.
By the 1930s, Wilfred and Mabel were no longer living together. (For some reason, Mabel’s directory listings described her as a widow.)
By 1942, Wilfred was the editor of the West End Gazette, which was a weekly newspaper in Vancouver.
Wilfred died in Vancouver on February 20, 1949. He was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.
Mabel lived for some time at 1980 McNicoll Street in Vancouver. She died in Coquitlam, British Columbia, on June 11, 1961. She was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.
Wilfred and Mabel had the following children.
Marjorie Syer
Marjorie Syer was born in England about 1905. She came to Canada with her mother in May 1906.
On June 26, 1929, in Vancouver, Marjorie married Ralph Wilson Geggie. He was born on March 1, 1903, in Glasgow, Scotland. He had a long career working with the workers’ compensation system in British Columbia.
Doris Syer
Doris Syer was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on February 2, 1907.
She never married.
She died in Vancouver on November 30, 1923. She was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver.
Sources
Isaac John Syer (father of Wilfred Harry Syer)
“England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2N3L-XP3 : accessed 16 December 2015), Isaac John Syer, 1840; from “England & Wales Births, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, Woodbridge, Suffolk, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.
“England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2DKV-FNN : accessed 16 December 2015), Isaac John Syer, 1868; from “England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Marriage, Watford, Hertfordshire, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
“England, London Electoral Registers, 1847-1913”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJNH-LXM3 : accessed 16 December 2015), Isaac John Syer, 1869.
“England, London Electoral Registers, 1847-1913”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJNH-L6Y4 : accessed 16 December 2015), Isaac John Syer, 1869.
“England, London Electoral Registers, 1847-1913”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJNH-22BZ : accessed 16 December 2015), Isaac John Syer, 1870.
“England and Wales Census, 1871”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VF6W-4SN : accessed 16 December 2015), Isaac John Syer, 1871.
“England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2VMT-BB4 : accessed 16 December 2015), Isaac John Syer, 1898; from “England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death, Rochford, Essex, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
Charlotte Harriet Crawley (mother of Wilfred Harry Syer)
“England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2DKN-CCS : accessed 16 December 2015), Charlotte Harriet Crawley, 1868; from “England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Marriage, Watford, Hertfordshire, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
“England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2NBN-NT5 : accessed 16 December 2015), Charlotte Harriet Syer, 1907; from “England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death, Bromley, Kent, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
Wilfred Harry Syer
“England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2XDV-B56 : accessed 16 December 2015), Wilfred Harry Syer, 1876; from “England & Wales Births, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, Wandsworth, London, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.
“England, London Electoral Registers, 1847-1913”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJFB-JNZ2 : accessed 16 December 2015), Wilfred Harry Syer, 1898.
“England, London Electoral Registers, 1847-1913”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJNM-TCWM : accessed 16 December 2015), Wilfred Harry Syer, 1901.
“England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:26QT-69M : accessed 16 December 2015), Wilfred Barry Syer, 1904; from “England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Marriage, Lambeth, London, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
“England, London Electoral Registers, 1847-1913”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJN4-6CFV : accessed 16 December 2015), Wilfred Harry Syer, 1905.
“England, London Electoral Registers, 1847-1913”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJNS-JG6R : accessed 16 December 2015), Wilfred Harry Syer, 1906.
“England, London Electoral Registers, 1847-1913”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJN3-V8H2 : accessed 16 December 2015), Wilfred Harry Syer, 1907.
“Canada Census, 1906,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHJ5-FHP : accessed 16 December 2015), Wilfred H Syer, 3A, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e049/e001205831.pdf.
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV95-9WCS : accessed 16 December 2015), Wilfred Syer, 1911; citing Census, Vancouver Sub-Districts 1-18, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,661; http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/View.jsp?id=63970&highlight=17&desc=1911+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Wilfred+Dyer [sic]; http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1911/pdf/e001940354.pdf.
1921 Canada Census, Wilfred Harry Syer; Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 18; Census Place: Ward 1, Vancouver Centre, British Columbia; Page Number: 16; Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FL56-ZF6 : accessed 16 December 2015), Wilfred Harry Syer, 1949.
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVV5-7YFZ : accessed 16 December 2015), Wilfred Harry Syer, 1949; Burial, Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada, Mountain View Cemetery; citing record ID 26304377, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=26304377.
Mabel Florence Dickens (wife of Wilfred Harry Syer)
“England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:26Q5-ZVP : accessed 16 December 2015), Mabel Florence Dickins, 1904; from “England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Marriage, Lambeth, London, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
“Canada Passenger Lists, 1881-1922,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2Q3Z-BMQ : accessed 16 December 2015), Mabel F Syer, May 1906; citing Immigration, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, T-486, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
“Canada Census, 1906,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHJ5-FH5 : accessed 16 December 2015), Mable F Syer in household of Wilfred H Syer, 3A, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e049/e001205831.pdf.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLT9-FWM : accessed 16 December 2015), Mabel Florence Syer, 1961.
Mabel Florence Syer, death notice, Vancouver Province, June 13, 1961, page 18; Vancouver Sun, June 13, 1961, page 24: “Syer—June 11, 1961, Mabel Florence Syer, formerly of 1980 McNicoll St., aged 84 years. Survived by 1 daughter, Mrs. Ralph W. Geggie; 2 grandsons, Donald R.J. and Ian M.; 1 sister, Mrs. F.W. Benwell, all of Vancouver; also several nieces and nephews. Funeral service Wednesday, June 14 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Chimes, Harron Bros. Ltd., 10th Ave. and Ontario St., Rev. Edward Linfoot officiating. Interment famly plot, Mountain View Cemetery.”
Marjorie Syer (daughter of Wilfred Harry Syer)
“Canada Passenger Lists, 1881-1922,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2Q3Z-BM7 : accessed 16 December 2015), Marjory Syer, May 1906; citing Immigration, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, T-486, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
“Canada Census, 1906,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHJ5-FHR : accessed 16 December 2015), Marjorie Syer in household of Wilfred H Syer, 3A, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e049/e001205832.pdf.
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV95-SNDH : accessed 16 December 2015), Ralph Geggie in entry for John Geggie, 1911; citing Census, Vancouver Sub-Districts 51-76, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,663.
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JD86-YNH : accessed 16 December 2015), Ralph Wilson Geggie and Marjorie Syer, 26 Jun 1929; citing VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B13757, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 2,074,553.
British Columbia Archives; Item AAAB5174; Ralph Geggie interview; http://search-bcarchives.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/ralph-geggie-interview.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FL26-4S9 : accessed 16 December 2015), Patricia Marjorie Geggie, 1932.
“United States Border Crossings from Canada to United States, 1895-1956,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XGYK-85Q : accessed 16 December 2015), Ralph W Geggie, 10 May 1944; from “Border Crossings: From Canada to U.S., 1895-1954,” database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2010); citing Ship , arrival port Laurier, Washington,, line , NARA microfilm publication Imusawa1917a, roll 082628, NARA record group 85, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.
Chilliwack Progress, August 7, 1957, page 2; http://theprogress.newspapers.com/image/77114121/?terms=geggie: “Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Geggie, Vancouver, were weekend visitors with their son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ian Geggie. Mr. Ian Geggie is lifeguard and swimming inspector at Cultus Lake this season.”
Donald Ralph John Geggie; October 15, 1930 – August 24, 2014; Obituary; http://www.everdenrust.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=320405#/obituaryInfo; Daily Courier, Penticton Herald; http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/okanaganvalley/obituary.aspx?n=donald-ralph-john-geggie&pid=172810176:
“On a beautiful sunny Okanagan afternoon just about cocktail hour, Don headed off on a new adventure. We are going to miss him, but it was his time to go. He was born in Vancouver and grew up spending summers at Cultus Lake swimming and skiing. Following in his father’s footsteps, Don worked for 42 years at the Workers Compensation Board where he met and married Val. They had two daughters, Linda and Lisa. Deciding to head to the Okanagan in 1975, Don and family discovered a “place to stay forever” building their home on Skaha Lake in Penticton (the Geggie’s Last Resort!). They lived an active life full of waterskiing, sailing, and camping, and snow skiing in the winters where the little Cabin at Apex was a second home. The “Geggie hospitality” and generosity was renowned and Don enjoyed many friends who came to visit over the years, enjoying the lake and a rum and coke (or two!) on the patio. In retirement Don and Val travelled the world extensively and loved to spend their winters with friends and family in Rincon de Guayabitos. He was always busy and loved to putter. He spent lots of time out on the golf course and his Koi pond was a big hit with the grandkids, who he enjoyed immensely. Yes, Don was a real family man and he and Val, his trusty sidekick through it all, recently, celebrated their 50th anniversary. Don believed strongly in service to community and was very involved with the Lions Club, where he made many lasting friendships. He also volunteered in many activities including running an aid station for many years with the Ironman Triathlon, and serving as a Director of the Penticton Retirement Center. Don, an avid hockey fan, supported the local Penticton Knights/Vees for 30 years. Dad we are going to miss your wine, your one-liners, your systems, and gadgets, and all the things that made you such a big part of our lives.
Our family wishes to thank Dr. DeKock, and the incredible palliative care team for their support in helping Dad live out his final days at home with us. Our family has been truly humbled by all of the visitors who have traveled from afar to see him, and the mountain of well wishes we received. It is remarkable to see how Don touched so many lives in important ways over the years. Don’s celebration of life will be held at Linden Gardens at 351 Linden Avenue in Kaleden. From 2 to 5 pm on Tuesday, September 2, 2014. Please come and join us and raise a glass to a life well lived. There are so many deserving charities that Don supported, if you wish to make a donation in Don’s memory we will leave that up to you. Take care.”
Doris Syer (daughter of Wilfred Harry Syer)
Manitoba Birth Registrations; Registration Number: 1907-011625; Doris Syer; date of birth: February 2, 1907; place of birth: Winnipeg; mother: Mabel Florence Dickens.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLKV-3JM : accessed 16 December 2015), Doris Syer, 1923.
Beatrice Annie Dickins (sister of Mabel Florence Dickins)
“New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JJQY-CZX : accessed 16 December 2015), Francis William Benwell, 23 Jul 1914; citing departure port Southampton, arrival port New York, ship name Saint Louis, NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JDZT-9LN : accessed 16 December 2015), Francis William Benwell and Beatrice Annie Dickins, 30 Jul 1921; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B12906, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 2,032,869.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLYM-WNW : accessed 16 December 2015), Beatrice Annie Benwell, 1967.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FGM7-9L5 : accessed 16 December 2015), Francis William Benwell, 1981.
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